Visionary Fiction for Readers
From the first posts on VisionaryFictionAlliance.com in August 2012 until the present, emphasis has been on defining Visionary Fiction and exploring the art and craft of writing it. In the beginning, we were not sure what content rightly belonged in the genre and what writers were actually or potentially producing genuine Visionary Fiction.
Six Years of Progress for the Genre and its Writers
In the six years since the site began operating, we have found our bearings in both of these areas. Our post library has several hundred items on the purpose, content, outstanding authors, and how-to of Visionary Fiction with considerable commentary from readers on each article. Our lead authors participated in writing the entry for Visionary Fiction on Wikipedia, and Google now offers hundreds of leads to the subject. We can confidently claim that the genre—once a confusing mix of tags like New Age, metaphysical, spiritual, and religious fiction—is now distinct in its characteristics while remaining flexible enough to accommodate future variations.
With over 260 member writers already registered, we still hear regularly from others who have “found” their genre through discovering and reading this site. To have a label for one’s writing is hardly paramount, but to discover a treasure trove of additional information about one’s writing preference and to connect to others skilled in a similar practice has obvious benefits. The VFA may not yet be a comprehensive writers’ guild, but it is well in advance of where we were six years ago.
But What about the Readers?
Another concern present from the beginning and crucial for those writing for a full or supplementary income has been on establishing and maintaining a reader base for Visionary Fiction. No sense in having a nifty genre and an exceptional group of authors with only a thin or non-existent readership. No doubt, some authors teamed up with the VFA with high hopes that it would help their titles rocket to the top of the best-seller lists, only to drop off when that did not happen. Even among those who have hung on year after year, contributing posts, comments, time, and funds, few can claim to have more readers than they can count.
VFA Site Course Change
Recently, in looking over the considerable body of work produced by the alliance, it became apparent to the members of the Steering Committee that the VFA had done well by the genre and its authors but still has much to deliver in the form of material designed to attract readers to VF. This observation calls for a course correction, so consider this post to be just that. From now on, we will pay at least as much attention to developing readership as we give to discussing the genre and attracting writer members. In the coming months, the site layout will be modified to serve the interests of readers, and some posts will be dedicated to the why, how and where of reading Visionary Fiction.
Promoting the Value of Reading in General
On her personal website, founding VFA member Margaret Duarte has been promoting the value of regular reading, including ways it can improve one’s physical health. She also cites a stunning statistic that sheds light on why even major authors are seeing a drop in readers: “24 percent of American adults reported that they haven’t read one book (or even ‘part of a book’) in the previous year.”
This decline in readership, likely a symptom of the decline in overall educational quality, is a concern that must go beyond hand-wringing if it is to be reversed, especially given the nature and volume of electronic competition in its various formats. So, even before we get lapsed readers to sample our new genre, we need to encourage them to return to reading books of any type. Margaret’s post, linked-to above, is a excellent sample of a message aimed to rehabilitate reading in general.
Promoting the Value of Reading Visionary Fiction
The story of the organization and promotion of science fiction as a genre in the early 20th century is pertinent to our aims with Visionary Fiction. The above-linked Wikipedia article, at least the “History section,” is worth reading. As with VF, some of the best sci-fi authors (Mary Shelley, H. G. Wells, Edgar Rice Burroughs) produced great science fiction long before their genre had a specific identity or name.
It took promoters like John W. Campbell and his magazine Astounding Science Fiction for the genre to become extremely popular. We daresay that VF needs its Campbells (he was quite the character!) and this site, at least for starters, can serve as its Astounding Visionary Fiction.
We already have several pages and posts that will introduce readers to Visionary Fiction as a genre, its content, some of its authors, and some titles. We now will, however, organize this material so it is accessible and in proper sequence for readers. This project is on the schedule for the next couple months. As this effort materializes, I hope all VFA members will set up links to these features on their own sites and in their promotions.
And there is more that could and should be done to win for Visionary Fiction its rightful place (its objective, after all, is “growth in consciousness”) in the heads and hearts of modern readers. And to get that done—something that will benefit all authors of quality VF—will require teamwork beyond what has kept the site operating to date.
Practical Ideas for Promoting VF to Readers
Of course, the VFA site can always use financial contributions (we are looking into ways to encourage such) and technical assistance (our site management is currently volunteer and thus limited to the time and expertise of our volunteers). But it is well-written and informative posts from our author membership that are its bread-and-butter. Additional conversation generated through Comments also further inform our subscribers and boost the site’s online rankings.
To reorient posts/comments more to readers at this point will take some rethinking. Given our reputation as a site for VF writers and theorists, it is going to take time, message repetition, and other clever ideas to attract readers here, and thence to the works of VF authors.
Such repositioning might happen via posts along the lines of: If reading in general can be so beneficial, what of fiction that promotes growth in consciousness? Use popular examples. A marvelous curiosity and possible example of 19th century VF is Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s The Coming Race. Or a speculative piece on the way J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series fits the definition of VF. Or visionary fiction as it is used in the Bible. Throw in plenty of links to related sites to draw readers from those sites to visionaryfictionalliance.com.
While we discourage posts that are solely promotion for the author’s own books, we consider it legit—and helpful—for those posting to use examples from their own books to illustrate a general principle about writing visionary fiction. We can do the same with reader interest as the focus. Suppose I am trying to attract readers interested in paranormal phenomena such as reincarnation to VF. Since I write about those subjects in my novels, The Anathemas and Channel of the Grail, I can link to my own books when posting how a reader might experience past life regression by reading a VF novel. (Sneaky, but there I promoted my own books—that’s how I pay myself to write this stuff!)
Whenever a bright idea for a post that might appeal to readers comes to your mind, why not click the Contact Us tab on the site and pass your thoughts along to us. An editor will get back with you promptly.
Coming Site Features for Readers
As mentioned above, in the next few months, we will be modifying the site to add features specifically for readers. We will add a drop down menu tab for them with sub-items that link to posts specific to readers and other items that explain how how to understand and enjoy VF.
In a previous version of the site, we had a bookstore that featured the titles of members and other popular VF writers, so that they could be sampled and easily purchased from Amazon. When Amazon changed their requirements for this service, it had to be removed, but we are now testing a plugin that will work similarly. Once this new feature is set up, procedure for having one’s books listed and its general use will be the subject of a future post. We are exploring ways to make listings in the Bookstore function a perk for the many members who contribute posts, comments, or other service to the VFA site and Facebook page. Let us know, through the Contact Us form, if you have any comments or suggestions on such a feature.
We all love to write our books. Promoting them, not so much. No author is born with a golden pen in their hand. None of our books were pre-selling in the millions before they are written. The task of reaching readers who enjoy, even crave, good visionary fiction becomes less daunting and more effective with a group effort. That has always been the strategy behind the VFA, and we intend the ideas in this post to take us further in that direction. Comment below to let us know that you are on board and feel free to mention what you might add to or remove from the above to increase the site’s appeal to VF readers.
(The photos are my own, selected simply because I like them. Feel free to associate them or not, however you want to, with the post content.)
Excellent blog, Vic. I’ve been hoping the site would move toward addressing the things that attract readers. In fact, I’ve submitted ideas in this regard. One of the reasons I titled my last blog the way I did was to attract readers. What is ongoingly of interest to readers? Sex, love, war, violence, biographies etc. One can think of these interests and focus the blog entries to show the ways that visionary fiction stories address these issues. In other words, visionary fiction is not just zoning out and getting spiritual. Sometimes approaching something that way turns off potential readers. While some readers look for that, others think, oh not that again. We need to show potential readers that visionary fiction addresses real life issues in intriguing and entertaining ways.
In Jonathan Livingston Seagull for example, Jonathan was different. He was outcast. There was conflict. It wasn’t just about becoming a higher being. It was about his personal struggle. Readers all have personal struggles. We need to show them that visionary fiction can help them figure out ways through their own problems and emerge victorious or at least lighten the load.
I hope this reply goes through this time. Yes, I’d like to read your books and talk to you about our take on things – as you mentioned in your recent post on my blog. I think the reason writers often don’t read each others books is because we have lives to live, and our own work is always in the back of our minds, and we have very little time to look at the works of others. Readers in general also often have very little time to read. Most are swamped with their lives. We need to show them that reading can be an escape, not another encumbrance.
I’m thrilled to read this post, Victor and I completely agree with Vi. This has been my main concern for the last few years. VFA has been great fun to follow as a writer, but we’re not inclusive enough.
I’m not suggesting we dumb down, but I do think we need to find more ways to be “cool” Hey, I’m old, my last slang word for this was cool… I think “dope” is the new cool? lol
We’re not dope. 😛
We’re in danger of being a club for kindred spirits instead of a platform to reach the masses. Vi said it better. And i’d suggest adding a section for VF movies to draw interest towards the books for those who have never read much before.
“We’re in danger of being a club for kindred spirits instead of a platform to reach the masses. ” Exactly, great point, Michelle. It has been good and necessary to build our solid foundation, including defining what we write as VF authors, and now it’s time to further the mission.
Had to go to urban dictionary https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=So%20dope for that one. I think the phrase is “so dope,” if you want to be totally cool about it.
Movies have been the subject of posts in the past, but we could use more on them. Jump in, anyone?
Michelle, you win the Comment Commendation: WE’RE NOT (SO) DOPE! But we are working on it.
Victor… I need a laughing emote for that award. 😀 Thank you.
I like how you say, “visionary fiction is not just zoning out and getting spiritual.” I totally agree. Many of our novels delve deep into issues relevant to today’s world. Some dark and painful issues, both culturally and personally and we want our readers to know about that.
THIS IS A RESPONSE TO Vi FRANCK’S BUT THE BLOODY SYSTEM WOULD NOT PLACE IT CORRECTLY
Agree with this 100%: “We need to show potential readers that visionary fiction addresses real life issues in intriguing and entertaining ways.” What I was trying to get across on earlier posts re Carl Jung’s view of “visionary fiction.”
(BTW your Comment did not go through automatically. For some reason it required approval although it should not since you already have many approved posts. ???_)
Vic, maybe it thinks of me as the black sheep. It’s better to be that kind of sheep than an obedient one. Grin.
When the bookstore is up and running again, could it link to Barnes and Noble, Kobo and Apple as well as Amazon? That would make it easier for readers who don’t buy from Amazon, and for writers whose books are sold everywhere, not exclusively on Amazon. Thanks.
Great suggestion, Amber! I’m not sure about Apple yet, but included will definitely be links to Barnes and Noble, Kindle, and Kobo.
I like this idea. The only place I’m aware of that my books are not available is Amazon. I don’t do business with them unless there is no other choice.
Amber, thanks for the suggestion. It happens that this same suggestion was made recently in one of the email convos among VFA team, in order to try and account for books that are not on Amazon (like V.M. Francks’ books).
Yes, it can be made to link to other sites. We’ll check that feature out and cover in the post on the bookstore.
Great post and excellent ideas, Victor. Visionary Fiction appears as a category more frequently now, and we need to draw readers’ attention. I’ve been thinking about the overlaps between historical fiction (my main genre), fantasy, and metaphysical. My novels focus on indigenous people, the ancient Mayas, whose culture integrated worlds and dimensions. Invoking the Vision Serpent and taking shamanic journeys to the Underworld were natural in their cosmology. What separates history, fantasy, and metaphysical domains in their cultures? Nothing, in fact. So what genre is it? Visionary Fiction, most likely. Maybe I might write a post about these intersections. Thanks for the good work, I’ll keep tracking and participate as I can.
Yes, do a post. I too do historical visionary fiction and would love to hear your take on it.
Wonderful ideas! Thank you for for putting so much thought into this site, Vicktor and Jodine. Is there a way to generate more readership through the Goodreads connection as well? BTW, is it possible to have my book listed on the VFA listopia? How is this done? Thank you!
Using Goodreads is a great idea. A couple of years ago, we posted there regularly. We should get back to that. Will try to include something on this in the post on the new Bookstore. Not sure what you mean by VFA Listopia though.
I just found VFA and can’t begin to say what a relief it is to realize I’m not alone in this field. I labeled my novel as historical fantasy but never felt like it was a good fit because of its spiritual underpinning. I look forward to learning more about all of you and this “genre.” It fits so much more comfortably.
I don’t have anything to add about the changes you are making here, but I look forward to being part of it.
Thank you for existing. This is such an exciting find. I hope I can add a little bit of extra spice to this genre with my series (in development) on the goddess Lakshmi incarnating in pre-historic India.
Welcome, JL. You are among friends. Hope to see you here frequently. Cruise through some of the earlier posts. You will enjoy.
Thanks so much, Vic, for this post. Yes. Yes. Yes. It’s about time!
As all authors find out after leaping into the arena with great zeal and fervor, these days people don’t read anything unless they are propelled to do so. In fact they can’t even write a line – instead entirely dependent on using Google autofill or copying and pasting stuff in blogs, whats app groups, etc – blatant plagiarism – so how does one gently guide anyone to read anything more than say 20 words ….???
ONE SUGGESTION THAT I CAN MAKE IS :- Offer readers a choice of about 30 books by the member authors free for reviewing. Once any reader selects the book, the author can receive a notice from the coordinator or perhaps an automatic info alert from the software itself and can send the reader an electronic copy of the book – may be Kindle, Nook or whatever – even PDF. The reader can then review it to be eligible for another book to read and review. One of us or all of us authors can help in finalising the modalities of the free book read and review system – and if there is a software to be developed or bought – then I think all of us can contribute a bit which will make it possible, Go Margaret go .. lets start … I love reading books and love reviewing them too –
Here is a review I wrote for Bianca …
[link removed by VFA editor]
Thanks for the suggestion, Deepak!
Deepak, I think that is a good idea about making books free for review. Since my books are published as ebooks, I always have one of them available free and others could be free upon request. Right now there are three of them listed for free. One of them is nonfiction, but the others are visionary fiction.
A person does not even need to have Kindle or Nook or PDF. The Adobe Digital Edition Reader is available free, so one can read digital stuff free on one’s computer or laptop, etc.
A technical note: I wonder how your link got removed. Evidently our Spam checker (Askimet) saw it and pulled your comment as spam. So one of the other editors fixed it so it would go through.
Aside from that, I get your suggestion, and with a bit of jockeying, it believe it could be made to work. We’ll take all the idea offered as Comments–and there are many and thanks to all–into consideration in our next Steering Committee meeting.
I agree–there’s got to be a way around the illiteracy crisis. Sometimes I wonder if there is a race between stupidity and climate change to be first to do in humanity.
Thank you for recognising the truth of what we are all experiencing regarding gaining readership. Personally I generally receive good reviews and responses to my books but find it impossible to find readers. I also don’t live anywhere near global markets and so a channel like VFA becomes paramount.
I am happy to continue any conversations or activities that I can help with in this regard for our genre.
I have another suggestion that I will reiterate via the Contact Form and this is of Trade Faires. I contacted the Bay Area (San Francisco) Book Festival this year about gaining exposure without actually being there in person and it is not possible. There are many such events in California that are a good audience for Visionary Fiction. Perhaps a shared VFA stand or presence might work?
Elizabeth, a booth at book fairs sounds like a good idea, but I live in the boonies in Oregon. My husband is ill, and I can’t leave him alone to travel somewhere. All but my first two books, which are now out of print, are ebooks. So I’m not sure how one sells and ebook at a fair.
We’ve considered book fairs before. A very valid idea. There is a big one here in Tucson in the spring (Google Tucson Festival of Books). Likely too late to get in this year, but its site serve as an example.
At the moment, a cost and manpower issue, but I can see a joint effort (a group of authors donating front money for having their books represented, and then a few in the show area donating time) succeeding. It is going to take more than the several of us currently doing the site (Jodine, Margaret, Seleena, Jim Murdoch and myself), but, from the showing here, I believe we can now pull off something like a fair.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I’m a new member of this group, but I am more than willing to help share the word. As each of us discover ways the VF authors can add to readership, this provides an excellent forum for sharing and spreading the news. Thanks for existing.